OUR PROJECTS

Lough Neagh Partnership is spearheading a transformative initiative to protect and enhance the cultural, environmental, and economic value of Lough Neagh—the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland.

Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this project includes the development of a bold 10-Year Heritage Resilience Plan for Lough Neagh, along with a proposal for new, unified ownership of the lake-bed and soil—a critical step toward long-term, sustainable management.

Why This Matters

Lough Neagh is more than a body of water—it’s the heart of local identity, economy, and folklore. Yet it now faces growing challenges:

• Environmental threats like pollution and habitat degradation
• Fragmented governance with unclear or conflicting responsibilities
• Declining connections between the Lough and local communities

To confront these issues, we’re building a clear and collaborative path forward.

Our Strategic Focus

The Lough Neagh Ownership & Heritage Resilience Project is committed to:

• Unifying ownership and management of the Lough’s bed and soil through sustainable models
• Designing a long-term Heritage Resilience Plan to protect and celebrate the Lough’s unique natural and cultural legacy
• Empowering local communities and stakeholders to reconnect with and shape the future of this vital resource

This project is scheduled to conclude by December 2025.

Together, we can ensure that Lough Neagh remains a living, thriving symbol of heritage and resilience for generations to come.

Lough Neagh Partnership operates an Environmental Group Farm Scheme with farmers on a number of small water catchments on the eastern shores of the Lough. Namely the Dunore River, the Dundesert River, the Crumlin River, the Glenavy River, the Ballinderry River, and the Crew Burn. The aim is to improve the quality of the water entering the rivers and the Lough by working with key landowners and tenants who farm within these small catchments flowing into the north-eastern side of the Lough.

It is anticipated that this project will be developed and extended as part of the new proposed DAERA Sustainable Catchment Programme (SCP) to cover the wider catchment of Lough Neagh on the east rivers and southern section of the Lough Neagh catchment. The Partnership has received funding to develop a new plan solely focusing on improving water quality and nutrient run-off within this part of the catchment of the Lough. It is hoped that this will form a wider network of river catchments to commence tackling the wider nutrient overload and blue-green algae issues which are occuring on the Lough.

Lough Neagh is promoted through our website and social media pages and provides a gateway into the activities and events taking place around Lough Neagh.

Lough Neagh Artisans was formed in 2019 and operates as a collective of like-minded creatives who live within 10 miles of Lough Neagh. The group collaborates and inspires people with their foods, crafts, and experiences. The collective hosts artisan markets on select dates throughout the year, offering visitors the chance to meet local makers and experience the unique flavours, craftsmanship, and culture of the Lough Neagh area. Although the original funding for this project—provided through the Agri Food Co-operation Scheme via DAERA—has now ended, the markets continue to be run on a voluntary basis to sustain and grow this successful initiative. Visit the website for full details and upcoming market dates.